Erickson set to make a successful return to Hurricanes pitching staff

UM pitcher Eric Erickson, once the staff ace, is back after missing last year because of Tommy John surgery

February 18, 2010|By Shandel Richardson, Sun Sentinel

CORAL GABLES — Pitcher Eric Erickson at times felt like an outsider last year.

While his University of Miami baseball teammates were in the midst of a disappointing season, he could only sit and watch. He felt almost helpless as he recovered from Tommy John surgery.

"I was like invisible," Erickson said. "I went from being the pitcher to just being on the training table. It was tough for me, mentally and physically."

After a long year of rehab, Erickson is healthy and set to claim what was once his. He returns as the Hurricanes' No. 1 pitcher, beginning his comeback at 7 p.m. Friday in the season opener against Rutgers at Mark Light Field. It will be his first appearance since facing Florida State in the College World Series June 16, 2008.

"There's going to be some butterflies," Erickson said. "That's the truth. They've started already, just thinking about coming back and pitching. Once that feeling goes away, there's really no point in playing anymore. I'm glad they're still there. I'm really excited."

Erickson, a left-handed junior, had been the Hurricanes' ace before the injury. He was a Freshman All-American in 2007 after going 10-4 with a 2.50 ERA and 63 strikeouts. He followed that with a nine-win season as a sophomore, earning a spot on the All-Atlantic Coast Conference second team.

Problems arose when he began experiencing discomfort in his throwing arm during fall practice in 2008. When the pain became unbearable, doctors told him surgery was required. Erickson underwent the procedure, performed by Dr. John Uribe, that November.

"I was scared, but at the same time, everybody comes through it for the most part," Erickson said. "In a lot of cases, they're stronger from it. … Now, it's all better."

The Hurricanes are excited about his return. Without him, they finished a disappointing 38-22 and failed to advance past the NCAA regionals. A shortened pitching rotation made for a more difficult season for No. 1 Chris Hernandez.

"Getting your No. 1 guy back is huge," UM coach Jim Morris said. "The name of the game is pitching, and Eric Erickson is a guy who really competes. He's a guy that throws strikes. He's pitched well enough to deserve that. He's earned that through the preseason, fall and spring."

Erickson and Hernandez, also a junior, give the Hurricanes one of the nation's best tandems. Hernandez was a Freshman All-American in 2008 before seeing a drop in his numbers last year. He said Erickson's presence will make things easier.

"We worked together and we try to feed off each other," Hernandez said. "I'm going to get that great opportunity to watch him throw on Friday nights and really see what the weaknesses are on the other team. I think I'm going to be able to throw my real good game plan and sit down the night before doing the charts and really be able to feed off the way he throws."